lundell



(No Model.) 4 Sheets--Sheet 1.

R. 'LU ND ELL.

BLEGTRIO RAILWAY.

WITNESSES EN INVE NTOR:

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(No Model.)

B. LUNDELL.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

Patented Sept. 21,1897.

INVENTOR:

By his Aftomey WITNESSES:

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R. LUNDBLL.

ELEGTRIG RAILWAY.

l m U No 590,420 Patented Sept. 21,1897.

INVENTORI By his {4170M glTNESSES 5 %4 #24, $45? m: "cams vE Izns 1:0 mdYO-umu. WASHINGTON. v. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT LUNDELL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE JOHN- SON-LUNDELL ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SIPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 590,420, dated September 21, 1897.

Application filed July 18,1896.

To all whom it may cancer-rt.-

lleit known that-I, ROBERT LUNDELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have made a new and useful Invention in Electric Railways, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is directed particularly to improvements in switch-boxes and electromagnetic switches for use in connection With systems of electrical railways like that disclosed in a prior patent granted to me on the 19th day of May, 1896, and numbered 560,513, in which patent is shown and described a system of interconnected electromagnetic switches adapted to automatically connect normallydisconnected sectional trolley-conductors to a current feeder or main as a car or vehicle travels over the route; and the present invention has for its objects, first, the construction and arrangement of switch-boxes'such that the switching parts will be securely protected against all kinds of inclement weather; second, the construction of an electromagnetic switch which will be positive in its operation when once energized and will not easily get out of repair or fail to operate when energized as the car or vehicle passes over it; third, the construction and arrangement of a switchboX such that the operative parts thereof may be quickly and readily put in place without any possibility of an error on the part of the operator; fourth, to devise a simple and efficient automatic cut-out which may be replaced when once burned out without danger to the operator, and, fifth, theadaptation of means at or near crossings of other routes whereby the trouble from shorteircuitin g of the operating-current is avoided. My invention will be fully understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved switch-box in its position in the road-bed with the cover removed so as to show the internal structure thereof. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, and as seen looking at that figure of the drawings in the direction of the arrows from the right-hand toward the left-hand side of the sheet, the in-' tcrior or switclrinclosingbox and the inlead- Serial No. 599,613. (No model.)

.ing cables or conductors being shown in side elevational view. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3, Figs. 1 and 2, and as seen looking in the direction of the arrows upon those figures from the top toward the bottom of the drawings. Fig. 4: is a vertical sectional view taken through the body of the switch-inclosing box on the line 4 4, Fig. 5, which latter figure is in turn a horizontal sectional view of the same switch-inclosing box, taken upon the line 5 5, Fig. 4, both of said figures showing in detail the entire structure of the switching apparatus. Fig. 6 is a broken sectional View of the lower portion of the switch-inclosing box, taken on the line (5 6, Fig. 5, and as seen looking from the left toward the right in the direction of the arrows upon that figure of the drawings. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the rails of two crossing tracks and the circuit connections of two switchboxes with sectional trolley conductors or contacts emproved means for avoiding the absolute opening of the circuit by the temporary short-circuiting of the operating-current between one of the trolley-shoes with the crossing line of rails and the nearest sectional trolley conductors or contacts.

For a correct understanding of the circuit connections between the current feeder or -1nain the electromagnet of each switch-box, the sectional trolley-conductors, and the interconnections between said switching-magnet and the neXt adjacent switching-magnets in advance and in the rear reference is had to my prior patent, No. 560,513, it being only necessary to note that in the present invention the six conductors for each inclosing switchboX are so arranged with relation to the circuit connections that three of them are upon one side of the inclosing box and the remaining three upon the other side thereof and so located that in placing the inclosing box in position within the switch-box proper there is no possibility of an error being made in the connections.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, B represents a castiron switch-box, preferably of rectangular form and provided with four legs 13 8 B beddedin the road-berhtogether with my im-' adapted to sustain the box in position between two ordinary cross-tics T T. The switch-box is east in one piece, with an upwardly-extending inner flange l3 running entirely around the interior of the box and adapted to term with the top orexterior flange B a deep-seated groove, which I term a m udgroove.

A represents the cover of the box, which is also of cast-iron and is provided with two dowmvardly-extending flanges A A the flange A being adapted to extend a considerable distance into the lllt'td-gI'OOVG, as will be seen on examination of Fig. 2. The flange A is somewhat longer than A and extends to a point near the bottom of the box B. The lower portion of the box 13 is provided with a cylindrical part B, in the bottom of which is a drain-opening B for carrying off any moisture which might penetrate the box.

The inner surface of the cover or lid A is lined with insulating material A for the pur pose of preventing any possibility of the coutinuance of an are when the fuse blows, as will be described later on in connection with the description of that portion of the invention.

The switeh-inclosing box proper is composed of two cup-shaped parts 0 and C, the lower part C being provided with an upper grooved extension 0 and a lower cylindrical extension C", the arrangement being such that the lower edge of the upper portion O of the inclosing box will fit within the grooved portion C The lower portion (3 constitutes not only a part of the inclosing box, but is also adapted to act magnetically as a part of the magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic switch, E being a cast or wrought iron plate with an opening in its center and held by screws c e e to the upper face of theinner part of the grooved portion The lower part (3 of the inclosing box constitutes a chamber for the switch-operating magnet, which is of solenoid form and is provided with two windings M and M, the circuit connections for which are identieallylike those described in my prior patent. These coils M and M are coiled upon bobbins of the usual form and inclose a non-magnetic shell which extends to the bottom of the part C, N being a solenoid-core of soft iron secured to an insulating-standard N, which in turn is secured by a rod s to aseries of yielding conductingarms 0 o 0, having secured to their outer ends by rivets o o a series of good metallic conductors O O O, the whole arrangement being such that when the solenoid-core is in its lower position the metal contacts 0 0 will rest on the upper surface of the insulatingplate E.

L is a thlmble, and Z Z are washers, and n a nut, all so arranged upon the screw-threaded extension 5- of the rod 8 as to secure the yielding spring 3 around said rod. E is a base or support of insulating material, such as vegetable fiber, for sustain ing two insulating-standards P 1" all of said parts being secured to said base or support and to the plate E by screws, as clearly illustrated in Figs. t and l P are blocks of conducting material, and P I are clamps, the outer edges of which rest upon the blocks of conducting material P and the inner edges of which rest upon and act to clamp bevel-shaped blocks of carbon P P, said parts being held together in their clamping position upon the top of the insulating-standards l P by screws pp p p, the arrangement being such that when the blocks of carbon P Pare held in the position shown in Fig. 4E and the solenoid-core N held in its upper position under the influence oi an energizing-current the working current; will pass from the conductor, joining one of the carbon blocks P, to and through. the contacts O O 0, arms 0 o, and the other contacts 0 0 O to the remaining carbon block I, and thence to the exposed sectional trolley-conductor embedded in the road-bed in themanner disclosed in my prior patent above referred to.

It will be noticed upon examination of Figs. 2, 3, and (5 that all of the incoming and outgoing conductors, which are preterably lead-covered cables to points within the switch-box, enter the switch-box proper at point-s below the flange or bell-shaped portion A, and extend thence upward to circuit connections on top of the switch-inclosing box, the arrangement being such that all of said conductors are thoroughly well insulated to the points indicated and that the bellshaped flange A will prevent the flooding thereof after the manner of a diving-bell. In order to effect this arrangement of ingress and egress of conductors, I provide each switch-box with lateral or side pockets 15 ll, &c., which when the parts of the switch-box are in position readily admit of the drawing in or withdrawal of the conductors and act after the manner of a water-trap to prevent the ingress of water around said conductors, these pockets or traps being prel'erabl y tilled with paraifln or other insulating material after the parts are in their final position.

b is a flange in the bottom of the switchbox B, adapted to accurately center or locate the switch-inclosingbox C (3 when itis placed in position.

All of the parts of the switching mechanism, including the electromagnets, are properly assembled in the workshop and placed in position in the inclosing switch-box C. The cables leading to the switch-boxes and to the ends of the magnet-coils are bent downward in the side pockets O, as shown, and the cover C is placed thereon, with its lower edge resting in the groove C after which this groove is tilled with paraflin, asphalt, or any preferred insulating material, so as to hermetically seal it, thus assuring the fact that all of the operative parts of the switch will be protected at all times and ready for use when they arrive at their destination, where they may be placed in the outer switch-box B 13 after the manner shown in Fig. 2 and the necessary connections made between the several conducting-cables.

All of the incoming and outgoing conductors pass to the top of the switch-inclosing box and are located beneath the insulatinglining A of the cover A of the switch-box. Upon the top of the switch-inclosing box and insulated therefrom by a sheet of insulating material C is a base or support for metallic conducting-blocks D D, to which I secure the conductors by binding-nuts d (I. These metallic conducting-blocks D D are provided with yielding lateral extensions d (1', adapted to receive between their extremities a pair of flat metallic eyes G G, which metallic eyes are in turn connected by rivets to a removable or detachable fuse block or plate Iof insulating material, such as slate or vegetable fiber. These metallic eyes G G are so constructed that when the fuse-block I is held vertically with relation to the switch-box they may be readily slipped between the lateral extensions 61' d, and when turned down into the position shown in Fig. 3 they will act in such manner as to spread these lateral extensions and thereby cause good electrical contact between them, the eyes G, and the interconnecting fuse F, as will be clearly obvious on inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

fis a metallic pin located in or near one edge of the insulating-block I, and F is a metallic fuse, made preferably of copper wire, adapted to have its opposite ends secured to the binding-posts g g and its middle or central portion passed around the metallic pin f, the arrangement of these parts being such that when the insulating-block I rests in its flat position upon the top of the inclosing box there will be good metallic contact between the yielding lateral extensions d and the metallic hinges G G, so as to constitute a continuous circuit from one of the metallic blocks D, through the hinge G,f use F, through the other hinge G and metallic block D to the binding-post d. This fuse-block is by reason of the yielding lateral extensions (1 d and the hinges G G absolutely detachable, so that an attendant may withdraw the fuse-block from the switch-box after a fuse has been blown and insert a new fuse without any danger of receiving a shock during such insertion, afterward restoring the fuse-block toits normal position.

Referring now to Fig. 7 of the drawings, I will describe my novel arrangement for avoidin g the dangerous effects of a short circuit between a sectional trolley-conductor and a closely-adjacent rail of a crossing line of rails when a trolley-shoe is passing thereover.

S S represent the trolley-shoes, which are connected to the motor on board of the car (not shown) in the manner disclosed in my prior patent above referred to.

R R represent the tram -rails of one line of rails,-and R R corresponding lines of rails of a crossing railway.

$0 &c., represent one line of sectional trolley conductors orcontacts, and so 30 &c., represent the parallel line of sectional trolley conductors or contacts. I

B B represent two of the switch-boxes, the circuit connections from the current feeder or main thereto and therefrom to the sectional trolley-conductors being identically 'like those disclosed in my prior patent above referred to.

F represents a fuse in the switch box, which is designed to blow for such current as may be deemed best, and X represents a resistance in a shunt or derived circuit about the binding-posts to which the opposite ends of the fuse are connected, the arrangement being such that when any short circuitoccurs between either of the trolley-shoes, as S, one of the sectional trolley-00nd uctors s0 and one of the crossing lines of rails, as R the fuse will be blown, but the circuit between the circuit connections in the switch-box and that particular sectional trolley conductor or contact will not wholly be ruptured, and the sectional trolley-conductor, when connected through the circuit connections in the switchbox, will still carry sufficient current to move the car over the crossing to the next sectional trolley-conductor in advance. To illustrate, suppose the voltage to be five hundred and that twenty five amperes are required to move a car. In the event, then, of the short circuit between the sectional trolley-conductor s0 and one of the crossing rails R the fuse will of course be blown, and upon the supposition that the resistance of the rheostat X is about ten ohms there will still be left margin enough of conductivity to carry twenty-five amperes or more to the motor and move a car forward to the next sectional trolley-conductor,when it will proceed on its course as before. I do not limit myself to this special means of preventing the absolute rupture of the circuit between a sectional trolleyconductor and the circuit connections in one or more switchboxes located closely adjacent to a line of crossing rails, as I believe it is broadly new with me to provide means for supplying a limited amount of current to such a sectional trolley-conductorafter the safety device, such as a fuse, has been actuated, and my claims are generic in this particular.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A switch box provided with a mudgroove near. its top, in combination with a cover provided with two downwardly-extending flanges, one of which is adapted to rest in the mud-groove and the other to surround the switching mechanism whenthe cover is located in position, substantially as described.

2. A hermetically-sealed switch-box which wholly incloses electromagnetic switching i'nechanism, in combination wit-h an outer surrounding or protecting flange 'or bellshaped portion adapted to act after the manner of a divingbell, the circuit connections between the switching mechanism in the hermetically-sealed switch-box and the exterior conductors being located in the upper part of the bell-shaped portion, substantially as described.

3. A switch-boaha ving a lid provided with a downwardly-extendin g flan ge or bell-shaped portion, in combination with a second inclosin g box which wholly in closes all of the switching mechanism in a hermetically-sealed condition, the conductors entering the switchinclosing box at points well within the downwardly-extending flange or bell-shaped portion, substantially as described.

l. In a system of electric conductors adapted to carry currents of high voltage, a cut-out device consisting of a fuse block sustaining a detachable fuse connected to a pair of conducting-eyes, in combination with yielding lateral extensions operatively connected with the circuit and adapted to receive the eyes and make good electrical connection when the fuse-block is turned to normal position, substantially as described.

5. Afuse-blockconsistingofinsulatingmaterial provided with means for detachably supporting a fuse and additional means for detachably securing the fuse in an electrical circuit, said additional means consisting of two pairs of yielding springs attached'to the circuit and fixed conducting-eyes carried by the fuse-block, said parts being so arranged that when the fuse-block is tilted into one position it may be readily withdrawn, and when tilted in reverse position the eyes will form firm electrical contact between the fuse and adjacent circuit connections substantially as described.

6. A detachable fuse-block consisting of insulatin g material provided with a pair of flat conducting-eyes electrically connected to the ends of a detachable fuse, in combination with two pairs of yielding spring-arms adapted to receive the eyes and to form good electrical connection between said spring-arms and the fuse when the fuse-block is rotated into permanent position, substantially as described.

7. In an electric-railway system a switchbox inclosing all of the switching mechanism in a liermetically-sealed condition, in combination with a second or surrounding box provided with a divingbell which is adapted to prevent the encroachment of water upon the hermetically-sealed box, substantially as described.

8. A hermetically-sealed switch-box made in two parts, one part of which incloses the switching mechanism and the other part in closes or wholly surrounds the switch-controlling magnet, and constitutes also a part of the magnetic circuit of said switchingmagnet, substantially as described.

9. A hermetically-sealed switch-box made of iron and wholly inclosing a switch operatin g solenoid-elcetromagnct, the core of which is operatively connected with an insulatingstandard extending upward. through said box and provided with conducting-arms carrying contacts adapted to contact with stationary switching-contacts secured in the upper part of the box, substantially as described.

10. An electromagnetic switch having a hollow plunger or a core carrying yielding contact devices, in combination with stationary contacts, the arrangement being such that the yielding contact devices prevent any partial rupture of the circuit after the magnet is once energized and permit the core to move upward under the yielding action of the contact devices a definite distance after electrical contact is once made, thereby avoiding chattering and arcing between the contacts, substantially as described.

11. The described means forprevcn ting the absolute rupture of the circuit between a sec tional trolley conductor or contact and its controlling switching mechanism by reason of a short circuit, the same consisting of antomatic cut-out mechanism adapted to operate for a defined current, in combination with a permanent resistance in shunt-circuit to the eut-out mechanism adapted to connect the switch with the sectional trolley-conductor, substantially as described.

12. In an electric-railway system one or more electromagnetic switching devices adapted to automatically connect the current feeder or main with a sectional trolley conductor or contact, in combination with an automatic cutout device adapted to rupture the circuit for abnormal currents and additional means for permittingalimited amount of currentto [low after the circuit has thus been ruptured, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day of July, 1890.

ROBERT LUNDE'LL.

\Vitnesses:

C. J. KINTNER, H. M. ROBINSON. 

